The Dream Demon

Chapter 6 - Love Thy Neighbor

Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

The library was one of my favorite places in the whole world. If I wasn't busy babysitting or at Bible Study class, I'd be here. It was only a short walk from our school, and luckily for me, it was past a small parade of shops which included a great little café. They did the best Mango Bubble Tea and salad boxes! I decided to pop in and make a few purchases, as I knew I'd be at the library for quite some time. I gave the cashier my items to scan and handed my money over to pay. I was about to leave, when I saw Melody walking in with her on-off boyfriend, Adam. Just my luck.

I tried to shield my face with my Bubble Tea and walk out unnoticed, But Melody has the eyes of a hawk. Especially when it comes to spotting me it seems.

"Why are you trying to hide, Scabby Abi? Shouldn't you be at home by now planning my party?" she sneered.

Great. She's noticed me.

I saw Adam looking at me with a look of appreciation on his face. I mentally shook my head, thanking my lucky stars that Melody didn't see. Normally he would only give me that look when she wasn't around.

"Your party Melody? I thought your father banned you from having parties when he found you drunk and passed out, after you'd raided his liquor cabinet? Anyway, I'm in a rush, got to go.." I replied whilst making a quick exit.

I heard Adam burst out laughing as I left, imagining the infuriation on Melody's face. I winced. I am not sure where this surge of bravery had come from, but I was sure I'd end up regretting it. Sooner, rather than later.

I made my way to the library, quickly swiping my card and walking to the area where the computers were. Managing to find one that was vacant, I sat down and sipped on my Bubble Tea, hoping that I could calm my brain down for a second.

Honestly, I didn't have a clue where to start. Part of me was thinking I was overreacting and making a big deal out of nothing, but the cuts and bruises that had disappeared from me were just too coincidental. I could still feel the warmth from where his thumb had brushed across my lips. Involuntarily I shuddered, goosebumps breaking out across my body.

Sighing, I opened up an internet page deciding that Google would be my best friend right now. It'd help give me a start anyway. Placing my fingers on the keys, I started typing his name.

Typhon.

In seconds, hundreds of pages were in front of me. Clicking on the first one, I felt a nervous feeling settle inside my stomach.

'Typhon was known as the father of all monsters. He was like a fire-breathing dragon with 100 heads, and he never slept.'

Father of all monsters? He never slept? Pfft, probably why he's decided to plague my dreams, I thought.

I looked at the image section first. Multiple pictures of a threatening looking half-man/half-snake beast greeted me.

Hmm, the Typhon that I saw looked human. Almost. If it wasn't for his eyes, I wouldn't think anything different. When I looked into them, all I saw was death. Decay. I'd never met somebody that could make me feel pure terror, just by looking at me. Not even my father could make me feel that way.

Carrying on reading, clicking on article after article, I checked the time noticing an hour had passed already. Every website was saying pretty much the same thing. I wrote down some quick notes, clicking on another random internet page.

A page about the movie 'Percy Jackson' loaded up. I started reading. Jess and I had watched this film last week! Sitting back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the desk a sudden realization washed over me. Hold on, wasn't Typhon one of the "monsters" in the film? Gosh! How stupid could I be? I couldn't help but chastise myself. Only I could watch a kids movie and have some crazy dreams about it, scaring myself in the process.

Sighing, I decided it was time for me to leave. Gathering me backpack, I deposited my rubbish in the nearest bin. I still had an hour or so before my curfew, so I decided to send Jess a quick text message.

Abi: So, turns out my dream was a false alarm.. All thanks to that film we watched the other week! Leaving library and on my way home now. xx

Jess: Percy Jackson? Haha you i***t! You're 17 and act like a 12 year old! Why don't you quickly drop by my house? It's on the way home for you.. You could speak to my mum if you'd like? She's been worried about you since this morning. xx

Abi: Ok, I'm on my way.. Please tell Leah not to worry! I'll be 10 mins max. xx

I felt bad that I'd dragged Jess' mum into my mess. She had covered for me so many times recently. Mainly because her and Jess were the only people who knew my secret. The first night I ever stayed over with them, Leah walked in on me changing into my pajamas and saw all of the bruises on my body. I tried to lie and make excuses, but lying to those who know you better than anybody, is pointless.

Jess started connecting the dots straight away. The time where my father kicked me so hard in my leg, I was limping for days and had to be excused from P.E, or the time I had a black eye from "falling over my cat." The floodgates had opened. Before I knew it, I had told them both about everything. Jess and Leah were in tears, crying and begging me to move in with them. It could never happen. My father would drag me back, kicking and screaming, not only that, I couldn't risk him hurting either of them.

Leah was on another level angry. She kept saying how my parents acted like they were the pillars of our community, and used their faith in God and religion to hide their true nature. I couldn't help but think she was right.

My mother especially, would act like a meek and mild, God-fearing woman. In actual fact, she would be the first to sit there, judge and gossip about everybody else. Whatever happened to 'Love thy neighbor?' Whatever happened to loving your children? It makes me angry thinking about it. How many times had she sat there, and blamed me for the beatings my father dealt to me? She'd rarely sit and watch it happen, choosing the 'Out of sight, out of mind approach', but she knew what was happening! She'd saw the bruises, washed the blood from my clothes. Not once did she ever stop him, or ask if I was alright. She never wanted to confront what was going on in front of her face. With her, it was all about maintaining 'The perfect family image.'

If you looked at us from the outside in, you'd think we were the perfect family. The more I thought about things now, I can see that it really is impossible to know what goes on behind closed doors.

A wolf can really hide in sheep's clothing.